Timbers score early in winning season opener

The revamped Portland Timbers quickly answered what had been a nagging question going into their season opener Saturday at PGE Park: could they score?

Midfielder Andrew Gregor scored less than two minutes into the match and the Timbers cruised to a 3-1 victory over Puerto Rico on a cold, rainy night. Luke Kreamalmeyer headed in a goal in the 53rd minute and Gregor added his second goal of the game in the 86th minute to put the game out of reach. Portland (1-0-0) peppered Puerto Rico (1-1-0) with a barrage of shots all evening, outshooting the Islanders 16-9.

Last season, the Timbers led the United Soccer Leagues First Division in offensive futility last season, with 25 goals in 28 games. And it was uncertain how the Timbers would find net, with three new forwards and one returner who did not make an appearance last season.

"There was a concern going into the season, 'Where would the goals come from? Where would the goals come from?'" said Gavin Wilkinson, starting his first season as Portland's head coach and general manager. "But as we saw tonight, we've got many threats."

Midfielder Andrew Gregor's unassisted goal in the 2nd minute surprised an announced crowd of 7,805 still settling into their seats. The free kick shot curled into the left side of the net, past the outstretched arms of Puerto Rico goalkeeper Josh Saunders, who had played for the Timbers the past three seasons.

The goal surprised even Gregor himself, who called it "crazy."

"I've never done that: scored one so early," he said.

The 10-year-veteran added another goal in the 86th minute to put the game away. The Beaverton native and former University of Portland standout could have easily scored another two, had he made two earlier penalty kicks.

But Gregor, who left the Seattle Sounders after two seasons to return to his hometown club, was quick to dismiss any notion that the Timbers have shored up last season's shortcomings up top.

"Just because we had success in one game doesn't mean we're suddenly this scoring machine," he said.

Still, the Timbers looked impressive, winning most 50-50 balls and outrunning their opponents. Wilkinson had made fitness a hallmark of his team in preseason. And it showed.

"If you were at the game tonight, there is never a reason not to come back," Wilkinson said. "You saw every player work hard, every single player with a workmanlike attitude. Then in addition to that you saw quality. You think of how many goal scoring chances we created. And how many problems we caused the opposition. And maybe the matchups were in our favor. And not every game is gonna be this way. But the work rate will be there."

The Timbers, in fact, will not get a day off tomorrow. Wilkinson called for his squad to return for practice first thing this morning.

Notes: The Islanders were coming off a 2-1 victory over the perrenial first-division favorite Rochester Raging Rhinos in their home- and season opener April 13. Last season, Puerto Rico lost to the Charleston Battery in the first round of the playoffs, the team's first post-season berth.... Timbers midfielder Shaun Higgins bruised an ankle in practice more than a week ago and was not eligible for Saturday's game. Higgins, who played for the Timbers in 2005, signed with the team Friday....Tom Potl entered the contest in the 88th minute to record play in his 100th career regular season USL First Division match.